Podcast: Christmas Tipspalooza With Lifestyle Expert Candi Fox

As we head into the final stretch of the 2018 holiday season, I thought it would be helpful to share this 'tips-palooza' episode from The Randy Report podcast because it's never too late for holiday tips.

Author and lifestyle expert Candi Fox joins me for tons of decorating, travel, cooking and entertaining ideas to make your holiday season the very best it can be.

Some ideas to help save money, and some to help celebrate the holidays in new ways.

We also have suggestions for taking care of yourself and ways to reduce stress throughout the season.

Plus, we share some Christmas music from out musicians Ann Hampton Callaway, Bright Light Bright Light and Matt Zarley to make your season bright. Take a listen then go support these awesome out artists.

For over two years, Candi and I were The Candi & Randy Show on BlogTalkRadio, where we racked up over a million downloads of talk radio episodes.

Some of our most popular episodes were our annual roundup of holiday ideas woven in between some of our favorite Christmas songs. I'm thrilled to have Candi join me again.

Hit the play button below and listen as we share new ideas to celebrate the holiday season.

Holiday Radio Show: The Candi & Randy Show

From The Candi & Randy Show archives, our holiday radio show from back in 2013:

Candi and I chat with our special guests Olivia Newton-John, Vanessa Williams, Judy Collins and Matt Zarley, who share their favorite Christmas traditions and memories.

Plus, Gerald McCullouch of "BearCity," CSI" and the web series "Hustling" gives us an impromptu sing-a-long.

We also share some of our guests' best holiday music to set the perfect mood during the holiday season.

St. Patrick's Day Celebration From The Candi & Randy Show

I was always proud of this one hour special St. Patrick's Day episode of The Candi & Randy Show celebrating Irish and Irish-Americans.

GREAT music and fun facts about Irish and Ireland.

Gotta share it again :)

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St. Patrick's Day Music Celebration

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Join Candi and I as we celebrate the musical contributions of Irish and Irish-Americans from musical genre.

From Broadway, pop, rock, celtic and new age, we invite you to join us for some of the best music created by famous folk of Irish heritage.

In addition to music, we'll be sharing interesting fun facts about the Irish and Ireland.

U2, Celtic Woman, Enya, The Corrs, Boyzone, Westlife, Katherine McPhee and more. Tune in for an hour of great music to celebrate St Patricks Day!

Music for your Valentine's Day plus Donny Osmond, Elaine Paige and Dave Koz

Happy Valentine's Day from Michael and I

For Valentine's Day, I wanted to share a special Valentine's Day edition of The Candi & Randy Show from 2012.

In addition to celebrating romantic Valentine's Day music, we were thrilled to be joined by very special guests: smooth jazz superstar - Dave Koz; the fabulous Donny Osmond; Star of ABC's True Beauty & Chippendales - Billy Jeffrey; and the "First Lady of British Musical Theatre"- Elaine Paige.

They share with us personal their favorite Valentine's Day memories.

AND - we feature lots of our favorite romantic songs perfect for Valentine's Day.  Sit back and enjoy.  We really loved this one.

Candi & Randy Show: "New Beginnings - Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014"

Great show with my co-host Candi Fox on The Candi & Randy Show.

Candi and I wrap up the year that was 2013. We talk Duck Dynasty, LGBT progress, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears and much more.

This show is my last appearance as a regular host of The Candi & Randy Show. No fights, no disagreements - just life is pulling both Candi and I in many directions, and in honoring my commitments I had to make a decision to take a hiatus from the show.

I'm so thankful to my fab co-host Candi for teaching me so much over two and a half years about hosting a radio show, interviewing guests and learning to open up when it comes to "talk radio." I couldn't have had a better time.

I'll be back as a guest host when Candi might need me, and happy to do so.

Listen in as Candi and I recap the year that was 2013 and look forward to what 2014 holds for us all.

By the way - we are almost at half a million listeners.  So if you hit play and listen to the first minute I'd be very appreciative as that gives us the "hit"... Plus, we're pretty fun :)

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Those we lost in 2013 - original Mickey Mouse Club star and America's sweetheart Annette Funicello

As 2013 winds down, my radio show co-host and I are looking back at some of our favorite episodes that seemed to get a big reaction and resonate with our audience. 

On April 8th, when Annette Funicello passed away, Candi and I both had a visceral response to get on the air and celebrate the life and career of this all-American icon.

In a quick half hour prep/research rush, we found a lot of facts and stories about Annette's life that we didn't know. Next thing we knew, we were on the air we sharing those facts throughout the show.  Tens of thousands listened in as we took to the air armed with music and facts of her life and career.

The breakout star of the original Mickey Mouse Club, going on to star in the iconic 1960s "Beach Party" movies with Frankie Avalon, Annette became a part of pop culture forever.

Plus we discuss the topic of Multiple Sclerosis, the disease that daunted her for decades.

Listen in as we share a lot of her fun music and celebrate the life of Annette Funicello.

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The Candi & Randy Holiday Show

Last night, Candi and I aired our annual holiday show with special guests Olivia Newton-John, Vanessa Williams, Judy Collins and Matt Zarley, who chat on their favorite Christmas traditions and memories.

 Plus, Gerald McCullouch of "BearCity," CSI" and the web series "Hustling" gives us an impromptu sing-a-long.

We also share some of our guests' best holiday music to set the perfect mood during the holiday season.

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Music legend Judy Collins on The Candi & Randy Show

How amazing is this? I had the chance to speak with Grammy Award-winner/music legend Judy Collins about her new Christmas CD "Christmas with Judy Collins." Hit the player below to listen.

Her stunning rendition of Joni Mitchell's “Both Sides Now” from her landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Judy’s dreamy and sweetly intimate version of Stephen Sondheim's “Send in the Clowns”  won "Song of the Year” at the 1975 Grammy Awards. Add to all that several top-ten hits gold- and platinum-selling albums, plus her books and painting, this is one uber-creative artist.

Music critics have called her voice "liquid silver." Performing over 100 concerts a year, Judy Collins reflects on her career, the world that inspires her and how she approaches her creative life.

She is a modern day Renaissance woman who is also an accomplished painter, filmmaker, record label head, musical mentor, and an in-demand keynote speaker for mental health and suicide prevention. She continues to create music of hope and healing that lights up the world and speaks to the heart.

More info on Judy's concert schedule and more at www.JudyCollins.com

Jim Caruso of "Cast Party" stops by The Candi & Randy Show

Jim Caruso from NYC's "Cast Party" dropped by The Candi & Randy Show today to talk about bringing the best party in town to Las Vegas at the Smith Center's Cabaret Jazz.

Jim Caruso’s "Cast Party" is a wildly popular weekly soiree that brings a sprinkling of Broadway glitz and urbane wit to the legendary Birdland in New York City every Monday night since 2003.

"Cast Party" is a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.

Jim guides the entire affair like a bubbly cruise director, musical director Billy Stritch holds court at the ivories and the audience is invited to participate in the festivities!  Cast Party has been honored with two BroadwayWorld Awards, a MAC Award, Bistro Award and a Nightlife Award.

It’s the party that would happen if somehow David Letterman and Ed Sullivan threw a hip house party around a nine-foot concert grand piano!

Don't miss Jim and Billy in Las Vegas on October 9th at Cabaret Jazz at the Smith Center at 9:30pm

Check out my interview with Jim Caruso below: 

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Blogging for Beginners - hows, whys and wherefores

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Candi and I discuss the world of web logs = Blogs. With today's quickly evolving news cycles, blogs are keeping the world informed.

Blogs emerged in the 90's and have become increasingly popular. Successful TV shows and even movies now have blogs.

Kim Kardashian, Snooki and other celebs now share their life via blogs.

How do you start a success blog? What topic do you choose?

We talk the hows, wheres and whys of blogging on this episode of The Candi & Randy Show.

The Candi & Randy Show - Supreme Court, Eric Snowden and Paula Deen

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On today's Candi & Randy Show, we discussed the Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, forthcoming decisions on marriage equality, plus other hot topics like whistleblower Eric Snowden, and Paula Deen's "N-word" scandal & firing from the Food Network.

The cast of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" on The Candi & Randy Show

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Listen in as Candi and I welcome the national touring cast of the hit musical Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.

An international hit with over 500 dazzling, 2011 Tony® Award-winning costumes, Priscilla Queen of the Desert features a hit parade of dance-floor favorites including “It's Raining Men,” “Finally” and “I Will Survive.” The Hollywood Reporter calls Priscilla “funny and fabulous!”

As the show prepares to settle down for three months at The Venetian in Las Vegas for the summer, the stars of the show Bryan West, Scott Willis and Wade McCollum share their favorite moments in the show plus what they think of their "fabulous" characters.

We also share some of the music from the Original Broadway Cast Recording that's made the musical a world-wide phenomenon.

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Talking about domestic violence on The Candi & Randy Show

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Join Candi and Randy today along with special guest, retired police officer John Bell, as they speak on domestic violence.

Domestic abuse is defined as behaviors use by one person in a relationship to control another. Candi recently experienced this violence first hand with someone renting a room in her home, and decided that it would be valuable to have a professional's insight into how people can avoid violent situations and what can be done after.

A few statistics about domestic violence:

Number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan and Iraq: 6,614; Number of women, in the same period, killed as the result of domestic violence in the US: 11,766

Number of people per minute who experience domestic violence in the U.S.: 24

Number of women in the U.S. who report domestic violence: 1 in 4

Number of men in the U.S. who report domestic violence: 1 in 7

Number of women who will experience domestic violence worldwide: 1 in 3

Joe Manetti on The Candi & Randy Show

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Join Candi and Randy with special guest Joe Manetti.

Joe, "Mr. International Daddy Bear 2009," will be hosting a benefit for AIDS Project New Haven this Saturday at 168 York Street Cafe at 9pm.

Tune in to find out about the fundraiser as well as Joe's current and future projects.

The Candi & Randy Show welcomes Tom Viola of BC/EFA

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Candi and Randy welcome the Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Tom Viola.

Tom has been at the forefront of HIV/AIDS advocacy for decades, working with the Broadway & theatre community to raise needed funds for a multitude of charities.

In addition, Tom was one of the original producers of the Obie Award winning play "The Night Larry Kramer Kissed Me," written and starring David Drake.

Among many rave reviews, the New York Times called the play "rivetingly angry, intense, frenetic, frank and touching."

Tonight, at the Gerard Lynch Theater at John Jay College, David Drake returns to a one night only celebration of his ground-breaking play. He has rewritten the play to include an all-star cast of openly gay theatre actors including Tony Award nominees Robin De Jesús, André De Shields, Rory O'Malley, RENT's Anthony Rapp, and Tony winner BD Wong.

We talk to Tom about the birth of the play, it's impact on the LGBT community, it's relevance two decades later plus other efforts by BC/EFA.

For info about the event tonight, go to BroadwayCares.org

UPDATE: The 20th anniversary performance of David Drake's solo show raised $66,025 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Sero Project. Bravo!

Steam Powered Giraffe on The Candi & Randy Show

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Today on The Candi & Randy Show we had the chance to talk with Steam Powered Giraffe.

Steam Powered Giraffe (SPG) is a musical project formed in San Diego in 2008 that is popular in the steampunk subculture. The act combines the visual of robot pantomime with sketches, pop culture references, improvised comedic dialogue, and original music.

Each member of the group plays a "robot". The Robots are like nothing you have ever seen.

Steam Powered Giraffe is more than just a band, they are an experience.

The Robots:

• The Spine (David Michael Bennett) is a futuristic dieselpunk robot with a titanium alloy spinal column and convincing human mannerisms. His skin is smooth silver, and he wears a black fedora and red tie. He plays guitar, bass, mandolin and keys.

• Rabbit (Bunny Bennett) is a malfunctioning copper clockwork robot, who wears a black coachman's hat with steampunk-style goggles on it and a black tunic with red accents. He plays the melodica and the accordion.

• Hatchworth (Sam Luke) is an art deco robot made from a stove. He was one of Colonel P. A. Walter's original robots, but was locked away due to a leaking power core. When the robot The Jon left the band, Hatchworth was released from lockdown and refurbished as a musician. He wears a bowler, sports a bushy orange mustache and wears a black military tunic with red accents. Sam Luke was previously a human member of the band. He plays bass and guitar.

You can find their music on iTunes by clicking here.

Award winning singer/songwriter Eric Himan on The Candi & Randy Show

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Eric Himan joined Candi and I to talk about his newest music, upcoming dates, and his recent op-ed piece for The Advocate regarding LGBT music artists in the performing arena.

Eric Himan is an award-winning nationally touring soulful/folk/rock artist based in the Tulsa area.

He has won top honors Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year at Urban Tulsa Weekly’s Absolute Best of Tulsa Music Awards, Best of the Best in Oklahoma Magazine for 3 years, while nationally winning the Singer/Songwriter Awards and licensing his original songs to MTV, Vh1, Oxygen, and E!

Eric’s music has been featured on Sirius/XM’s Coffeehouse radio station with his song, “Save The Afternoon” and version of the Simply Red classic, “Holding Back the Years”.

He has appeared in The Advocate, newspapers nationwide, and gained a working endorsement with Fender Guitars.

Plus, award winning singer/songwriter Matt Zarley calls in to join the fun. Lots of talent to go around.

Find out more about Eric at his official website - www.erichiman.com

And you can download Eric's latest single "Running" on iTunes.

The Candi & Randy Show: Randy's Back!

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Join Candi and Randy as they catch up on Randy's NYC adventures and other current topics including Jason Collins recent "coming out"; the 2013 Tony Award nominations; National Masturbation Month, and more.

Today on The Candi & Randy Show: Randy Returns!

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I've been away from my radio show, The Candi & Randy Show, for a couple of weeks as I was busy working in NYC. But today's show was, as Candi titled "Randy Returns!"

Listen in as Candi and I talk about my recent production of HELLO, DOLLY! for the National Asian Artists Project in NYC, the 2013 Tony Award nominations, Jason Collins "coming out", and more.

Talk radio is fun, kids.  Hit the play button, or better, call in for the next show :)